Abiclor: chlorine production back up 2.7% and 3.6% falls soda in first quarter

SAO PAULO-brazilian chlorine production fell 2.7 percent in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period in 2015, to 305.3 1000 tons, while that of caustic soda had 3.6% retracement, 333.9 1000 tonnes, according to information from the Brazilian Association of chlorine-alkali Industries and derivatives (Abiclor).
The capacity utilisation rate of the industry was 80.6%, a reduction of 3.8% compared with the first three months of last year.
Total chlorine sales from January to March fell 14.5% and 5.2% retreated soda.
The apparent consumption (production more imports less exports) of caustic soda in the quarter was of 1000 tonnes 541.1 12.2% below the registered in the same range of 2015. Apparent consumption of chlorine already had a drop of 2.7% over the same period, to 306.6 1000 tons.
The chlorine and soda are used by 16 sectors of economic activity, such as metallurgy and steel, pulp and paper, aluminum, textiles, soaps and detergents, food and beverages, water treatment, among others, as well as industry industry, whose companies reserve part of the production for captive use.